Agentic AI has the potential to reshape the payments landscape. It refers to autonomous systems that can work together toward a goal. They learn to make decisions that spark actions and adapt to situations based on their programming and data gathering. This is different from generative AI, which pulls in content based on prompts but may not execute workflows independently. Some of the biggest payment firms have already rolled out agentic AI payment solutions. So, is this technology a significant improvement for the US payment system, or is it accelerating an already complex system of payments innovation?

In 2025, Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) has crossed over from an emerging payment trend to what can be reasonably considered core eCommerce infrastructure. Driven by exceptionally quick global adoption, BNPL gross merchandise volume is expected to exceed $560b this year, according to a 2025 report by Research and Markets. At this scale, it’s safe to call BNPL an expectation embedded in consumer purchasing behavior.

Looking for ways to improve customer experiences? Understanding your shoppers’ payment preferences is central to creating exceptional shopping experiences that foster loyalty and drive growth. Whether shoppers prefer the tactile experience of in-store, the convenience of online shopping or a blend of both, retailers must consider every point of the customer journey. By implementing shopper-centric solutions, retailers can reduce cart abandonment, increase conversion rates and build loyalty.

When money moves instantly, loyalty follows. “ From Fast to Sticky: Why Instant Payouts Win Repeat Customers ,” a collaboration between  PYMNTS Intelligence and Ingo Payments, reveals that the first instant payout experience can transform casual users into committed converts, and that eliminating even small fees makes all the difference. Download your copy now.

In this report, learn:

Becoming a habit: Nearly six in 10 recipients who try instant once make it their go-to payout method, with adoption rising to 68% when funds are needed immediately.

Payment technology provider Worldpay is now supporting OpenAI’s Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP). As the company noted in a news release Wednesday (Oct. 29), this is an open standard for artificial intelligence (AI) commerce allowing AI agents, people and businesses to work together on purchases.

With ACP, the release added, U.S. users of OpenAI’s ChatGPT will be able to shop directly from participating Worldpay merchants using Instant Checkout.

Paypal said on Tuesday that it is adopting a protocol in combination with OpenAI’s “Instant Checkout” feature to let users pay for their shopping directly within ChatGPT, starting in 2026. Paypal is adopting the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP), an open-source specification developed by OpenAI that lets merchants make their products available within AI apps, consequently enabling users to shop using AI agents. Meanwhile OpenAI’s “Instant Checkout” feature, launched in September, lets users confirm their order, shipping, and payment details, and complete purchases without leaving ChatGPT.

The yearend holiday shopping season may mean half of consumers tapping BNPL for purchases. Half of holiday shoppers plan to use buy now, pay later services to cover their expenses this holiday season, according to a holiday survey of 1,000 U.S. adults from digital payments provider PayPal Holdings. The respondents cited budget control and affordability as the top reasons for using the payment tool.

The pace of the financial industry is unrivalled. The cross-border payments landscape is rapidly evolving and maturing as emerging technologies develop, new regulations come into play, fraud dominates, and global consumers demand instant payments. 

How is the industry responding to these changes, and what strategies are banking experts and leaders deploying to combat the onslaught of challenges as the future draws nearer? Sibos 2025 in Frankfurt will be a forum for conversation on the next steps for the financial sector, and how to conquer the next frontier of global finance.